2016 CWG Auction wines rated
By Christian Eedes, 20 September 2016
2
The 32nd Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction takes place at the Spier Conference Centre, Stellenbosch on Saturday, 1 October. There are 52 wines on offer and I attended a blind tasting held for the media yesterday.
Ratings as follows:
96
Sijnn Wines /awa 2014 (David Trafford)
WO Malgas. 62% Syrah, 38% Mourvèdre. Very fragrant aromatics – fynbos and wild flowers before red and black fruit, pepper and spice plus just a hint of savoury gaminess. Lovely fruit purity, fresh acidity and crunchy tannins. Very striking.
95
Mullineux Trifecta Syrah 2013
WO Swartland. From three vineyards, one grown on granite, one on iron and one on schist. 100% whole bunch fermentation and matured for two years in barel. Enticing aromatics of red and black fruit, scrub, lilies, geranium, white pepper and spice. Pure and fresh with fine tannins. Layers of flavour and great length.
Spier Frans K Smit Auction Selection 2011
WO Stellenbosch. 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc. Matured for 24 months in barrel. Wonderfully complex nose – cranberry, red and black cherries, cassis, fresh herbs, cigar box and liquorice. Full bodied yet balanced and very flavourful. Dense fruit offset by fresh acidity, the finish long and savoury
94
Bartho Eksteen Vloekskoot Sauvignon Blanc Wooded 2015
Boplaas 1880 Ox Wagon Reserve 8 Year Potstill Brandy
Jordan Chardonnay Auction Selection2015
Jordan Sophia 2013
93
Beaumont Family Wines “Moerse Moer” Chenin Blanc 2015
Boplaas Cape Vintage Auction Reserve 2009
Boschkloof Epilogue Syrah 2014
De Grendel Op Die Berg Pinot Noir 2013
Ernie Els CWG 2014
Etienne le Riche Special Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Hartenberg CWG Auction Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Kaapzicht Estate Auction Selection 1947 Chenin Blanc 2015
Luddite The Broken Ankle Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Saronsberg Die Erf Shiraz Grenache Mourvèdre Viognier 2011
Waterford Estate ‘1988 kept aside’ Chardonnay 2015
92
Ataraxia Under The Gavel Chardonnay 2015
Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Auction Reserve 2014
Groot Constantia Auction Chardonnay 2015
Louis Nel Unobtainium Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2014
Paul Cluver The Wagon Trail Chardonnay 2015
Silverthorn Wines Big Dog II Méthode Cap Classique 2011
Simonsig Mediterraneo 2015
Strydom Family Wines The Expatriate Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2013
Teddy Hall Wines Maria van Loon née Engelbrecht Shiraz Reserve 2015
91
Beyerskloof Traildust Pinotage 2014
Cederberg Ghost Corner Semillon 2015
Edgebaston Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013
Etienne le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Auction Reserve 2013
Graham Beck Wines Non Plus Ultra Méthode Cap Classique 2008
Kanonkop CWG Pinotage 2014
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Seadragon Pinot Noir 2015
Nicky Versfeld Double Barrel Semillon 2015
Rijk’s CWG Chenin Blanc 2013
Rijk’s CWG Pinotage 2013
Tokara Siberia Chardonnay 2015
90
Neil Ellis Insignium 2013
Paul Cluver Auction Selection Pinot Noir 2014
Rust en Vrede CWG Auction Estate 2013
Simonsig Cuvée Chêne Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs 2007
Vriesenhof Pinot Noir 2013
89
Groot Constantia Auction Shiraz 2014
Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2013
Nitida Swan Song Sauvignon Blanc 2015
88
Cederberg Teen Die Hoog Shiraz 2014
Hartenberg CWG Auction Shiraz 2012
Mullineux Clairette Blanche 2015
Saronsberg Sneeusig Shiraz 2012
87
Gottfried Mocke Wine Projects Pinot Noir 2015
The Drift Farm Kindred Shiraz Malbec Barbera 2014
To find out how you can attend the Auction, visit: www.capewinemakersguild.com, email info@capewinemakersguild.com or call 021 852 0408.
Kevin R | 20 September 2016
Hi Christian,
Please forgive the mundane question but what 100 point score is the closest equivalent to 18/20 and which score is closest to 19/20?
Many thanks
Christian | 20 September 2016
Hi Kevin, It’s not a mundane question at all. Platter’s awards 5 Stars to wines rating 95 points and above and many international wine competitions also consider 95 as the threshold for gold. On this site, we tend to consider 93 as pretty much equivalent to 18/20 and 96 to 19/20. The supposed merit of the 100-point system is that it gives the critic extra gradations which aren’t available to him when using the 20-point system and I would argue that if 100/100 represents “perfection”, then it necessarily should become more and more difficult to attain, the closer you get to it.